Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MAGNETICALLY ACTUATED RECIPROCATING MOTOR AND PROCESS
USING REVERSE MAGNETIC SWITCHING
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of United States Patent Application
No. 13/176,603 filed July 5, 2011 and United States Patent Application No.
12/832,928 filed July 8, 2010.
DESCRIPTION
TECHNICAL FIELD
The field of the present invention relates generally to reciprocating
motors which utilize a drive mechanism to provide power to an output shaft or
crankshaft. More particularly, the present invention relates to such motors in
which
the magnetic repelling and attracting forces of permanent magnets are utilized
to
reciprocate a magnetic actuator. Even more particularly, the present invention
relates to such motors in which the change in direction of the actuator is
obtained by
utilizing an axially charged solenoid to alternatively repel or attract the
actuator.
BACKGROUND ART
Reciprocating motors have been and continue to be used in virtually
every available mode of transportation and for all types of power supply needs
throughout the entire world. Generally, reciprocating motors have a piston
slidably
disposed in a cylinder and utilize a driving force to drive the piston in one
or both
directions inside the cylinder so as to rotate an output shaft, such as a
crankshaft.
The most commonly utilized reciprocating motor is an internal combustion
engine.
The typical internal combustion engine comprises a series of cylinders each
having
a piston reciprocating inside to drive a crankshaft in order to produce motion
or
power. Air and fuel are combined in the piston chamber, defined inside the
cylinder
by the top of the piston, and ignited by a spark from a spark plug to provide
an
explosive driving force that drives the piston downward. The fuel and air are
fed into
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the piston chamber through an intake valve and, after combustion, exhaust air
is
forced out through an exhaust valve. To obtain proper performance of the
fuel/air
igniting sequence, the valve activating mechanism must open and close the
intake
and exhaust valves at the proper times. Due to relatively high engine
operating
speeds, this process happens at a very fast rate. Due to their extensive use,
the
internal combustion engine has been the subject of intensive efforts in the
United
States and most industrialized countries since the beginning of their
utilization to
improve the engine's operating characteristics. Despite these efforts,
internal
combustion engines are well known for relatively inefficient utilization of
fuel, such as
gasoline and other products made from oil, and being significant contributors
to the
air pollution problems that exist in most cities and towns. As such, the
continued
use of internal combustion engines is recognized by many persons as a
significant
draw on the Earth's limited natural resources and a substantial threat to
human
health.
Other types of reciprocating devices are also well known. For
instance, electromagnetic reciprocating engines utilize electromagnetic force
as the
driving force to move the piston inside the cylinder and rotate the output
shaft. A
typical configuration for such engines comprises a plurality of electromagnets
disposed around the cylinder that are actuated by electrical currents to
provide the
electromagnetic force necessary to drive the piston in a reciprocating motion
in the
cylinder. It is well known that this type of electromagnetic engine must have
a
somewhat large supply of electrical current to power the electromagnets and
typically requires a complex control mechanism to provide the electrical
current to
the electromagnets in a manner required to operate the engine. For these and
other
practical reasons, electromagnetic reciprocating engines have generally not
become
very well accepted.
Another source of power that has been utilized to reciprocate a piston
inside a cylinder is the magnetic energy stored in permanent magnets. As is
well
known, when the same polarity ends of two magnets are placed near each other
the
repulsion force of the two magnetic fields will repel the magnets and,
conversely,
when the opposite polarity ends of two magnets are placed near each other the
attraction force of the magnetic fields will attract the magnets toward each
other,
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assuming one or both of the magnets are allowed to move. A known advantage of
utilizing permanent magnets as the driving force for a reciprocating motor is
that the
energy available from these magnets is relatively constant and capable of
providing
a long operating life. In order to use permanent magnets to reciprocally drive
a
piston inside a cylinder, however, a mechanism must be provided that first
utilizes
the advantage of dissimilar polarity to attract the piston to the permanent
magnet
and then utilize the advantage of similar polarity to drive the piston away
from the
permanent magnet. Naturally, this must be done in a very rapid manner at the
proper time. The difficulties with being able to rapidly switch polarity when
using
permanent magnets, as opposed to electromagnetic force, has heretofore
substantially limited the ability to utilize the advantages of permanent
magnets as a
driving force to reciprocate a piston in a cylinder so as to rotate an output
shaft for
the purposes of motion or the generation of electricity.
Over the years, various reciprocating devices that utilize permanent
magnets as the driving force to reciprocate a piston or other actuating
devices, to
one extent or another, have been patented. For instance, U.S. Patent No.
3,676,719 to Pecci discloses a electromagnetic motor having an electromagnetic
solenoid, located within a concentric counterbore, having a coil disposed
about an
inner sleeve and electromagnetic insulating end walls at the ends thereof. A
ferrous
metal core is slidably received in the inner sleeve and reciprocates in
response to
electromagnetic force to rotate a drive shaft. U.S. Patent No. 3,811, 058 to
Kiniski
discloses a reciprocating device comprising an open-bottomed cylinder having a
piston made out of magnetic material, with a predetermined polarity, slidably
disposed in the cylinder chamber. A disc rotatably mounted to the engine block
below the cylinder has at least one permanent magnet, of like polarity, on the
surface facing the open bottom of the cylinder such that the rotation of the
disc
periodically aligns the permanent magnet with the piston so the repulsive
force
therebetween causes the piston to reciprocate in the cylinder chamber. U.S.
Patent
No. 3,967,146 to Howard discloses a magnetic motion conversion motor having
permanent magnets arranged with like poles facing each other and a magnetic
flux
field suppressor disposed between the magnets for repeatedly causing a
magnetic
repelling and attracting action as it is moved into alignment between the like
poles of
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the magnets. The magnets reciprocally drive piston rods connected to
crankshafts
that are connected to a common drive shaft, as the main output shaft. U.S.
Patent
No. 4,317,058 to Blalock discloses an electromagnetic reciprocating engine
having a
nonferromagnetic cylinder with a permanent magnetic piston reciprocally
disposed
therein and an electromagnet disposed at the outer end of the cylinder. A
switching
device, interconnecting the electromagnet to an electrical power source,
causes the
electromagnet to create an electrical field that reciprocates the piston
within the
cylinder. U.S. Patent No. 4,507,579 to Turner discloses a reciprocating piston
electric motor having a magnetic piston slidably disposed in a nonmagnetic
cylinder
that has wire coils wrapped around the ends thereof that are electrically
activated to
reciprocate the piston inside the cylinder to drive a crankshaft connected to
the
piston by a piston rod. U.S. Patent No. 5,457,349 to Gifford discloses a
reciprocating electro-magnetic engine having fixed magnets mounted in the
piston
that intermittently attract and repel sequentially energized electromagnets
that are
radially mounted in the cylinder walls. A computerized control mechanism
regulates
the timing of the electromagnets to reciprocate the piston and drive a
rotatable
crankshaft. U.S. Patent No. 6,552,450 to Harty, et al. discloses a
reciprocating
engine having a piston, which is reciprocally disposed in a cylinder, that is
driven by
opposing electromagnets connected with the piston and cylinder. A polarity
switching mechanism switches polarity to reciprocate the piston. U.S. Patent
No.
7,557,473 to Butler discloses an electromagnetic reciprocating engine
comprising an
electromagnet with opposing magnetic poles disposed between permanent magnets
mounted on either ends of a moving frame connected to a crankshaft. Magnetic
attraction and repulsion forces are used to reciprocate the frame and rotate
the
crankshaft.
One of the major disadvantages associated with previously disclosed
or presently available permanent magnet reciprocating motors is that mechanism
for
switching polarity to reciprocally drive the piston in the cylinder generally
utilize one
or more electromagnets, which use a switching mechanism interconnecting a
power
source with the electromagnets. A significant problem with the use of an
electromagnet to reciprocate a piston to or away from a permanent magnet is
that
the force field of the permanent magnet is strongly attracted to the iron core
of the
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electromagnet. This strong magnetic attraction force makes it very difficult,
if not
impossible, for the magnetic repelling force to overcome the attraction
between the
permanent magnet and the iron core, thereby eliminating the repel step (of the
attract/repel action) that is necessary to reciprocate the piston in response
to the
magnetic switching. If the strong magnetic attraction between the permanent
magnet and the iron core can be overcome, it requires an excessive amount of
energy for the electromagnet. Other devices utilize an electric motor or other
prime
mover to rotate or pivot a member having the permanent magnets so as to
periodically attract or repel magnets on the piston to provide the force
necessary for
reciprocating the piston. Naturally, the use of an external prime mover
substantially
reduces the energy efficiency of the magnetically actuated reciprocating motor
and,
therefore, one of the primary benefits of such motors. Another major
disadvantage
that is associated with presently available magnetically actuated
reciprocating
motors is that the switching mechanisms are generally somewhat complicated and
subject to malfunction or cessation of operation.
What is needed, therefore, is an improved magnetically actuated
reciprocating motor that has an improved mechanism for switching polarities so
as to
periodically attract and repel a piston-like magnetic actuator to reciprocally
move the
actuator and rotatably drive an output shaft. An improved reciprocating motor
will
not utilize iron core electromagnets to attract and repel the magnetic
actuator toward
or away from a permanent magnet so as to avoid excessive attraction between
the
permanent magnet and iron core. The reciprocating motor should not rely on a
prime mover or the like to reciprocate permanent magnets from an attracting
position to a repelling position so as to reciprocally drive a piston disposed
in a
cylinder. The preferred reciprocating motor should be simple to operate,
require a
limited number of moving components and be relatively inexpensive to
manufacture.
The preferred reciprocating motor should connect to a crankshaft or other
output
shaft to produce rotary power and be adaptable to a wide variety of
reciprocating
motor uses, including vehicle motion and power generation.
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DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The magnetically actuated reciprocating motor of the present invention
solves the problems and provides the benefits identified above. That is to
say, the
present invention discloses a new and improved reciprocating motor that
utilizes a
solenoid to provide electromagnetic force to reciprocatively move an elongated
magnetic actuator having a permanent magnet at each of its ends, with the
polarity
of the electromagnetic force being alternated to reciprocate the magnetic
actuator
and drive an output shaft. The coil of the solenoid is wrapped around a
nonferrous
spool that is fixedly held in position. One or more shafts of the actuator
linearly
move inside the spool in response to one of the permanent magnets of the
magnetic
actuator being repelled by the solenoid while the other permanent magnet is
being
drawn toward the solenoid. The present magnetically actuated reciprocating
motor
does not utilize an electromagnet and, as a result, eliminates the problems
associated with the permanent magnets being attracted to the iron core of the
electromagnet, which can result in loss efficiency and even non-movement of
the
magnetic actuator. The solenoid rapidly alternates polarity to magnetically
attract
and repel the permanent magnets of the magnetic actuator to reciprocate the
actuator and drive the output shaft. The magnetically actuated reciprocating
motor
of the present invention does not rely on an external source of power, such as
a
prime mover or the like, to pivot, rotate or otherwise move the permanent
magnets
from an attracting position to a repelling position in order to reciprocally
drive the
magnetic actuator. The new reciprocating motor is relatively simple to
operate,
requires a limited number of moving components and is relatively inexpensive
to
manufacture. The magnetically actuated reciprocating motor of the present
invention connects to a crankshaft so as to produce rotary power that is
adaptable to
a wide variety of reciprocating motor uses, including vehicle motion (whether
by
land, air or water) and power generation.
In one general aspect of the present invention, the magnetically
actuated reciprocating motor comprises a frame, a solenoid fixedly supported
by the
frame, a source of power electrically connected to the solenoid to energize
the
solenoid, a switching mechanism that electrically interconnects the source of
power
and solenoid, a magnetic actuator that reciprocates relative to the solenoid
in
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response to the electromagnetic field of the solenoid, a mechanism operatively
connected to the magnetic actuator for converting reciprocating movement of
the
magnetic actuator to rotate a work object, such as flywheel, attached to an
output
shaft and a mechanism that interconnects an output shaft with the switching
mechanism for controlling operation and timing of the switching mechanism. In
one
embodiment, the frame defines a chamber and the solenoid is supported by the
frame in the chamber. In another embodiment, the frame is a housing that
substantially encloses the motor of the present invention. The solenoid has a
first
end, an opposite directed second end, a spool with a tubular center section
disposed between its first end and second end and a coil of wire wrapped
around
the center section. The center section of the spool has a generally open
center
through which a portion of the magnetic actuator reciprocates. The spool is
made
out of one or more nonferromagnetic materials. Unlike electromagnets, the
solenoid
of the present invention does not have a ferromagnetic core. The solenoid is
configured to have a first polarity at the first end and a second polarity at
the second
end in its first energized state and have the second polarity at the first end
and the
first polarity at the second end in its second energized state. The switching
mechanism alternatively switches the solenoid between the first energized
state and
the second energized state. The magnetic actuator has an elongated shaft with
a
first end and a second end, a first permanent magnet at the first end of the
shaft and
a second permanent magnet at the second end of the shaft. The shaft is
reciprocatively received in the open center of the coil. The first permanent
magnet
has an end disposed toward the first end of the solenoid that is magnetically
charged with an actuator polarity that is one of the first polarity and the
second
polarity. The second permanent magnet has and end disposed toward the second
end of the solenoid that is also magnetically charged with the actuator
polarity. In a
preferred embodiment, the mechanism for converting the reciprocating movement
of
the magnetic actuator to rotate the work object has a first output shaft and a
second
output shaft. In a preferred embodiment, the controlling mechanism for
controlling
the operation and timing of the switching mechanism is attached to the first
output
shaft. The flywheel or other work object can be attached to the second output
shaft.
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In one embodiment, the shaft has a tubular chamber, the first
permanent magnet has a first extension member with an inward end extending
into
the tubular chamber from the first end of the shaft and the second permanent
magnet has a second extension member with an inward end extending into the
tubular chamber from the second end of the shaft. The inward end of the first
extension member is disposed in spaced apart relation with the inward end of
the
second extension member to define a gap between the first extension member and
the second extension member in the tubular chamber of the shaft.
In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic actuator has an elongated
tubular shaft with one or more walls defining a tubular chamber between the
first and
second ends of the shaft. The first permanent magnet is disposed inside the
tubular
chamber at the first end of the shaft and the second permanent magnet is
disposed
inside the tubular chamber at the second end of the shaft. In this embodiment,
both
of the permanent magnets are substantially disposed entirely inside the
tubular
shaft, with a gap separating the second end of the first permanent magnet and
the
first end of the second permanent magnet. As with the above embodiment, the
reverse magnetic switching that switches the polarity of the ends of the
solenoid will
reciprocatively drive the magnetic actuator to produce the desired work. This
configuration has been found to improve the performance of the motor of the
present invention.
In one embodiment, the controlling mechanism that controls the
operation and timing of the switching mechanism is a cam attached to the first
output shaft so as to rotate therewith. In another embodiment, the controlling
mechanism is a split commutator having a pair of split disks and a pair of
solid disks,
with each of the disks being separated by a disk insulator. The switch that
receives
the input power from the source of power, such as a battery or the like, is
operatively
engaged with the solid disks and the switch that directs the output power to
the
solenoid is operatively engaged with the split disks. The rotation of the
split and
solid disks provides the desired reverse magnetic switching. In another
embodiment, the controlling mechanism is an electronic drive assembly
comprising
a control unit operatively connected to a half bridge driver, bus transistor
and user
interface to transfer the electrical power from the source of power to the
solenoid in
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a manner that provides the reverse magnetic switching that drives the magnetic
actuator.
As stated above, the solenoid comprises a coil made up of a wire,
preferably a copper wire with a thin enamel-based insulated covering, wrapped
around the center section of the spool to provide, when energized, an axially
charged electromagnetic field. The coil has a longitudinal axis, defined by
the
tubular-shaped center section having an open center through which the magnetic
actuator reciprocates. The shaft of the magnetic actuator has a longitudinal
axis that
is in axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the coil. In the preferred
embodiment, the permanent magnets at each end of the shaft are axially aligned
with the longitudinal axis of both the shaft and the coil. Each of the
permanent
magnets has an actuator polarity, which is the same for both magnets, that is
axially
directed toward the solenoid coil disposed between the two magnets. When the
coil
is energized, it produces opposite magnetic polarity, a first polarity and a
second
polarity, at the two ends of the solenoid. The polarity at each end of the
solenoid is
axially directed towards the actuator polarity of their respective opposing
permanent
magnet. In operation, the switching mechanism periodically switches the
polarity at
the ends of the solenoid to alternatively repel and attract the magnets at the
ends of
the magnetic actuator. As one permanent magnet is being attracted to its
respective
end of the solenoid, the other permanent magnet is being repelled by its
respective
end of the solenoid. This alternating repel and attract action reciprocates
the
magnetic actuator to operate the work objective, such as a flywheel, to obtain
the
desired work output for the motor. In the preferred embodiment, a cam, split
commutator, electronic drive assembly or like controlling mechanism is
connected to
an output shaft and operatively interacts with the switching mechanism to
provide
the necessary timing for the reverse magnetic switching that reciprocatively
drives
the magnetic actuator and operates the motor. Other controlling mechanisms,
which
may or may not be operated by an output shaft, can be utilized to operate the
switching mechanism and provide the reverse magnetic switching timing.
It is therefore the primary aspect of the present invention is to provide
a magnetically actuated reciprocating motor using reverse magnetic switching
that
provides the advantages discussed above and overcomes the disadvantages and
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limitations associated with presently available magnetically powered
reciprocating
motors. It is also an important aspect of the present invention to provide a
magnetically actuated reciprocating motor that utilizes electromagnetic force
to
reciprocate an elongated magnetic actuator having a permanent magnet at each
end thereof to drive an output shaft and to generate electricity, propel a
vehicle,
drive a pump or for other motor uses. It is also an important aspect of the
present
invention to provide a magnetically actuated reciprocating motor that utilizes
electromagnetic force to alternatively attract and repel a pair of oppositely
positioned
permanent magnets mounted on a magnetic actuator that does not utilize an
electromagnet so as to eliminate attraction between the permanent magnets and
the
iron core of the electromagnet. It is also an aspect of the present invention
to
provide a magnetically actuated reciprocating motor that utilizes a solenoid
to
provide electromagnetic force to reciprocatively drive a magnetic actuator
having a
shaft linearly disposed inside a nonferrous spool around which is wrapped the
solenoid coil. It is also an aspect of the present invention to provide a
magnetically
actuated reciprocating motor that does not require utilization of a prime
mover or the
like to provide the magnetic switching necessary to magnetically reciprocate a
magnetic actuator and drive an output shaft.
The above and other aspect and advantages of the present invention
will be explained in greater detail by reference to the attached figures and
the
description of the preferred embodiment which follows. As set forth herein,
the
present invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, mode of
operation and combination of processes presently described and understood by
the
claims.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments and the
best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:
FIG. 1 is a side view of a magnetically actuated reciprocating motor
configured according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional front view of the magnetically actuated
reciprocating motor of FIG. 1 taken through line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the magnetically actuated reciprocating motor of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the magnetically actuated reciprocating motor
of FIG. 1 shown without the housing;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional front view of the magnetically actuated
reciprocating motor of FIG. 4 taken through line 5-5 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a front view of a series of connected magnetically actuated
reciprocating motors configured according to an embodiment of the present
invention showing the motor through a complete cycle of operation with the
permanent magnets positioned with the magnetic pole having a S polarity
directed
toward the axially charged electromagnetic field of the solenoid;
FIG. 7 is a front view of a series of connected magnetically actuated
reciprocating motors configured according to an embodiment of the present
invention showing the motor through a complete cycle of operation with the
permanent magnets positioned with the magnetic pole having a N polarity
directed
toward the axially charged electromagnetic field of the solenoid;
FIG. 8 is a side view of one embodiment of the magnetic actuator and
connecting rod connector utilized with the magnetically actuated reciprocating
motor
of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the magnetic actuator and
connecting rod connector of FIG. 8 taken through line 9-9 of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a side view of a first embodiment of the magnetic actuator
utilized with the magnetically actuated reciprocating motor of the present
invention;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the magnetic actuator of FIG.
10 taken through line 11-11 of FIG. 10;
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FIG. 12 is an exploded side perspective view of the magnetic actuator
of FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 is an exploded side perspective view of the solenoid utilized
with the preferred embodiment of the magnetically actuated reciprocating motor
of
the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a side view of the magnetic actuator and connecting rod
assembly of the embodiment of the magnetically actuated reciprocating motor of
the
present invention shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 15 is an exploded side perspective view of the magnetic actuator
and connecting rod assembly shown in FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a schematic of the electrical system for the solenoid used in
a preferred embodiment of the magnetically actuated reciprocating motor of the
present invention;
FIG. 17 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the magnetic
actuator utilized with the magnetically actuated reciprocating motor of the
present
invention;
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional side view of the magnetic actuator of FIG.
17 taken through line 18-18 of FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is an exploded side perspective view of the magnetic actuator
of FIG. 17;
FIG. 20 is a side view split commutator controlling mechanism for use
with the motor of the present invention shown mounted to the first output
shaft with
the switching mechanism mounted to stationary plates;
FIG. 21 is a front view of the split commutator controlling mechanism of
FIG. 20 shown without the first output shaft;
FIG. 22 is a side view of the split commutator controlling mechanism
and switching mechanism of FIG. 21 shown without the stationary plates;
FIG. 23 is a top perspective view of the split commutator controlling
mechanism of FIG. 22 shown electrically coupled to the solenoid and source of
power; and
FIG. 24 is a schematic view of a electronic drive assembly controlling
mechanism for use with the motor of the present invention.
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MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like
numerical designations to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present
invention, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth
below.
The enclosed text and drawings are merely illustrative of preferred
embodiments
and only represent several possible ways of configuring the present invention.
Although specific components, materials, configurations and uses are
illustrated, it
should be understood that a number of variations to the components and to the
configuration of those components described herein and in the accompanying
figures can be made without changing the scope and function of the invention
set
forth herein. For instance, the figures and description provided herein are
primarily
directed to a single motor, however, those skilled in the art will readily
understand
that this is merely for purposes of simplifying the present disclosure and
that the
present invention is not so limited as multiple motors may be utilized
together to
provide the desired work objective.
A magnetically actuated reciprocating motor that is manufactured out
of the components and configured pursuant to preferred embodiments of the
present invention is shown generally as 10 in the figures. As best shown in
FIGS. 1
through 3, motor 10 of the present invention generally comprises a frame 12
defining
a chamber 14 therein, an axially charged electromagnetic solenoid 16 fixedly
supported by the frame 12, a piston-like magnetic actuator 18 reciprocally
disposed
through solenoid 16, a switching mechanism 20 configured to operate the
solenoid
16, a source of power 22 (shown in FIG. 16) that supplies electrical power to
the
solenoid 16 and a reciprocating converting mechanism 24 that is connected to
the
magnetic actuator 18 to convert the reciprocating motion of the magnetic
actuator 18
to operate a work object 26, such as the flywheel shown in the figures. The
work
object 26 can be connected to a pump, generator, vehicle or other mechanical
device for accomplishing useful work.
As explained in more detail below, during operation of motor 10 the
solenoid 16 is energized to provide an axially charged magnetic field with
opposing
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magnetic poles at the opposite ends of solenoid 16 to magnetically repel or
attract
permanent magnets, identified as first permanent magnet 28 and second
permanent
magnet 30, on the magnetic actuator 18 to reciprocate the magnetic actuator 18
and
rotate the work object 26. In a preferred embodiment, frame 12 is configured
as a
housing that substantially or entirely encloses the remaining components of
motor
of the present invention. Unlike an internal combustion engine, however, it is
not
necessary that frame 12 be configured to provide a sealed, enclosed chamber
14,
as no combustion gases or other pressure inducing mechanism is utilized in
motor
10 to reciprocally move the magnetic actuator 18. Instead, motor 10 of the
present
10 invention utilizes the magnetic repelling and attracting force between the
axially
charged solenoid 16 and the permanent magnets 28/30 to reciprocate magnetic
actuator 18 and drive the work object 26. Preferably, the frame 12, solenoid
16 and
magnetic actuator 18 are cooperatively configured such that the travel of the
magnetic actuator 18 in chamber 14 is accomplished with a minimum amount of
friction to reduce loss of power produced by motor 10. Because motor 10 of the
present invention does not utilize gasoline or other fossil fuel based energy
sources
for its operation, the motor 10 does not require the use of these limited
resources or
generate the polluting exhaust that is a well known problem of internal
combustion
engines.
Although frame 12 can have a solid wall and entirely enclose the other
components of motor 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, this configuration is
not
necessary and, in fact, may not be preferred due to various weight and
manufacturing cost considerations. The primary purpose of an enclosed frame 12
is
for safety purposes, namely to avoid injury to persons or damage to other
equipment
that may come in contact with motor 10. If desired, magnetic actuator 18 and
reciprocating converting mechanism 24 can be entirely exposed. The solenoid 16
and magnetic actuator 18 should be cooperatively configured so as to direct
the
movement of the magnetic actuator 18 in a generally linear direction so that
as much
force as possible is provided to the reciprocating converting mechanism 24 to
operate work object 26 (i.e., rotate the flywheel). Because motor 10 of the
present
invention does not rely on the expansion of compressed gasses for the
reciprocation
of magnetic actuator 18, frame 12 can be configured in many different ways to
14
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accomplish the objectives of the present invention. For instance, in one
embodiment frame 12 is configured in a generally open cage or sleeve-like
configuration. Due to the magnetic forces generated by solenoid 16 and the
permanent magnets 28/30, as set forth below, frame 12 should be made out of
nonferromagnetic material, such as aluminum, ceramic, carbon fiber, plastics,
thermoplastic resins (such as nylon and polyfluroethylene), carbon composites
and a
variety of non-magnetic materials. In a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, frame 12 is made out of Delrin . As will be readily understood by
those
skilled in the art, frame 12 can be configured in a variety of different sizes
and
shapes, including having a round, square, rectangle or oval cross-section.
As stated above, the solenoid 16 of motor 10 is configured to provide
an axially charged electromagnetic field that has poles with opposing
polarities at the
opposite ends thereof. Unlike prior art magnetically actuated electromagnetic
motors, the solenoid 16 of motor 10 is not an electromagnet and does not have
an
iron or iron-based core. In cooperation with the switching mechanism 20 and
the
source of power 22, solenoid 16 is configured to alternatively magnetically
attract
and repel the permanent magnets 28/30 of the magnetic actuator 18 to cause the
magnetic actuator 18 to reciprocate and operate the work object 26 so as to
produce
power, propel a vehicle or perform other useful work. The present inventor has
found that the use of an electromagnet significantly reduces the ability of
the
magnetic actuator 18 to reciprocate due to the strong attraction that would
exist
between the permanent magnets 28/30 and the electromagnet's iron core, due
primarily to the strong magnetic field of the permanent magnets 28/30 on the
magnetic actuator 18. This strong attraction would either result in one of the
permanent magnets 28/30 being fixedly attracted to the electromagnet, and
therefore eliminate any chance of the magnetic actuator reciprocating, or
require too
much energy from the source of power 22 to overcome, thereby likely making the
motor 10 to inefficient to be practical.
In a preferred embodiment, the solenoid 16 comprises a coil 32 formed
of wire 34 that is wrapped around the tubular-shaped center section 36 of a
spool 38
having a generally disk-shaped first end section 40 and a generally disk-
shaped
second end section 42, as best shown in FIGS. 10-13. The center section 36 of
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spool 38 defines a tubular-shaped open center 44 through which a portion of
magnetic actuator 18 is received and reciprocates, as explained below, when
magnetically acted upon by the solenoid 16 during operation of motor 10. The
wire
34 of coil 32 is wrapped around center section 36 to provide the axially
charged
magnetic field that alternatively attracts and repels the permanent magnets
28/30 of
the magnetic actuator 18. The coil 32 has a first wire end 46 and a second
wire end
48, best shown in FIG. 13, that electrically connect to the source of power 22
via one
or more switches of the switching mechanism 20, as shown in FIG. 16. The end
sections 40/42 of the spool 38 are fixed relative to frame 12. In one
embodiment,
the end sections 40/42 are attached to, connected to or integral with the
section of
frame 12 that fixedly positions the solenoid 16 in motor 10. If desired, the
frame 12
can be configured in a manner such that it only secures and encloses (whether
fully
or partially) solenoid 16, thereby leaving the magnetic actuator 18 exposed.
In the preferred embodiment, wire 34 for coil 32 is an insulated
electrically conductive copper wire, such as enamel coated magnet wire, that
has a
thin layer of insulated coating. The gauge and length of the wire to provide
the
desired electromagnetic field will need to be engineered for a specific
application of
motor 10. In one embodiment, the inventor has utilized approximately 144 feet
of 24
gauge wire to provide approximately 22 layers of wire having approximately 76
turns
per layer (for a total of 1,386 turns) around a center section 36 having an
outside
diameter of approximately 0.75 inches and a length of 1.50 inches. As will be
readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, a wide variety of different
combinations of wire sizes and coil configurations can be utilized for
solenoid 16,
with the larger gauges of wire 34 allowing more current, which is needed for
large
permanent magnets 28/30, but producing more heat. Spool 38 of solenoid 16
should be made out of a nonferromagnetic material so as to avoid interference
with
the magnetic field generated by the energized solenoid 16 and permanent
magnets
28/30 of magnetic actuator 18. In a preferred embodiment, the spool 38 is made
out
of Delrin or other thermoplastic material. In one embodiment, the spool 38
has an
overall length of approximately 2.00 inches with end sections 40/42 thereof
having a
thickness of approximately 0.25 inches each and diameter of approximately 2.00
inches. In this embodiment, the center section 36 has an inside diameter of
16
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approximately 0.63 inches, which defines the open center 44 through which a
portion of the magnetic actuator 18 is received and reciprocates in response
to the
alternating magnetic polarity at or near the first 40 and second 42 end
sections of
spool 38.
As set forth in more detail below, the switching mechanism 20 of motor
is configured to switch the polarity at the first end 50 and second end 52 of
solenoid 16 in an alternating manner to provide a first energized state 54 and
a
second energized state 56, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. In the first
energized
state 54, first end 50 of solenoid 16 will have a first magnetic polarity 58
(shown as
10 N) and the second end 52 of solenoid 16 will have a second magnetic
polarity 60
(shown as S). In the second energized state 56, the first end 50 of solenoid
16 will
be at the second magnetic polarity 60 and the second end 52 of solenoid 16
will be
at the first magnetic polarity 58. Both permanent magnets 28/30 will be
positioned
such that the solenoid facing magnetic polarity, hereinafter referred to as
the
actuator polarity 61 (which will be one of 58 or 60), of one end thereof will
be
generally directed toward the first 50 and second 52 ends of solenoid 16. When
switching mechanism 20 rapidly switches between the solenoid's first energized
state 54 and its second energized state 56, the magnetic polarity at the ends
50/52
of solenoid 16 will be in corresponding relation (e.g., either the same as or
opposite
thereof) with actuator polarity 61 (whether 58 or 60) of the facing end of the
permanent magnets 28/30 so as to magnetically attract and repel the permanent
magnets 28/30 and reciprocate the magnetic actuator 18 relative to the
solenoid 16,
as shown in the sequence of operation in FIGS. 6 and 7. In FIG. 6 the actuator
polarity 61 is S and in FIG. 7 the actuator polarity 61 is N. As will be
readily
appreciated by those skilled in the art, first magnetic polarity 58 and second
magnetic polarity 60 can be opposite that described above as long as they are
opposite each other (to attract or repel as required) and both permanent
magnets
28/30 have the same actuator polarity 61 facing towards the ends of the
solenoid 16.
As stated above, the magnetic actuator 18 of the present invention
should be sized and configured to be cooperatively received inside solenoid 16
and
chamber 14 so as to reciprocate therein with a minimum amount of friction
between
it and the solenoid 16 and frame 12. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic
17
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actuator 18 comprises an elongated tubular shaft 62 having the first permanent
magnet 28 at the first end 64 thereof and the second permanent magnet 30 at
the
second end 66 thereof, as best shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The shaft 62
interconnects
the two permanent magnets 28/30 and maintains them in a desired spaced apart
relation. The outside diameter of shaft 62 is sized and configured to be
slidably
received inside the open center 44 defined by the center section 36 of spool
38, as
best shown in FIG. 9, so the magnetic actuator 18 may freely reciprocate
relative to
the solenoid 16 and operate the work object 26. The first permanent magnet 28
has
a first end 68 and a second end 70 and second permanent magnet 30 has a first
end 72 and a second end 74. The second end 70 of the first permanent magnet 28
is at the first end 64 of shaft 62 and the first end 72 of the second
permanent
magnet 30 is at the second end 66 of shaft 62. The permanent magnets 28/30 can
attach to or otherwise connect with the shaft 62 as may be appropriate for the
materials utilized for these components.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, first permanent
magnet 28 and second permanent magnet 30 are rare earth magnets, which are
known for their improved magnetic performance and longevity. Rare earth
magnets
are known to provide the characteristics desired for the operation of
reciprocating
motor 10 of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the permanent
magnets 28/30 are Grade N42 neodymium magnets (NdFeB), such as available
from K&J Magnetics of Jamison, PA, which are magnetically charged through
their
axis. Alternatively, other rare earth magnets, such as those known as samarium
magnets (SmCo), may be utilized with the motor 10 of the present invention.
Both
the types of rare earth magnets identified above are at least generally
adaptable to
being manufactured in a variety of different sizes and shapes, are known to be
generally corrosion and oxidation resistant and stable at higher temperatures.
The
shaft 62 of magnetic actuator 18 can be made out of wide variety of different
materials. Although shaft 62 can be manufactured out of a nonferromagnetic
material, including thermoplastic materials such as Delrin , in the preferred
embodiment the shaft 62 is manufactured from a ferrous material, such as case-
hardened steel or the like. Utilizing a ferrous material for shaft 62 provides
a
magnetic advantage resulting from pulling the magnetic fields of the solenoid
16 and
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permanent magnets 28/30 inward toward the center of solenoid 16. Pulling these
magnetic fields inward results in a stronger, more uniform magnetic pull/push
effect
over the stroke of the magnetic actuator 18, which improves the operation and
output of the motor 10. Preferably, the shaft 62 is ground and finished to
eliminate
any irregular surfaces and provide a smooth exterior surface to reduce
friction
between the shaft 62 and the inside surface of the center section 36 of spool
38.
As with the solenoid 16, the permanent magnets 28/30 at the ends of
shaft 62 are axially charged, not diametrically charged. To obtain the
necessary
attract and repel action of the magnetic actuator 18 in response to the
alternating
energized states 54/56 of the solenoid 16, the magnetic polarity at the second
end
70 of first permanent magnet 28 and the magnetic polarity at the first end 72
of
second permanent magnet 30 must both be the same (i.e., the actuator polarity
61
at both ends 70/72 should either be first polarity 58 or second polarity 60)
so that
one of the permanent magnets 28/30 will be attracted to its respective end
50/52 of
solenoid 16 while the other permanent magnet 28/30 will be repelled by its
respective end 50/52 of solenoid 16. For instance, in FIG. 6 the actuator
polarity 61
is S and in FIG. 7 the actuator polarity is N. As shown in the second motor 10
from
the left of the series of motors in FIGS. 6 and 7, with the solenoid 16 in the
first
energized state 54 the first permanent magnet 28 will be attracted to the
solenoid 16
while the second permanent magnet 30 is being repelled by solenoid 16. As
shown
in the second motor 10 from the right of the series of motors in FIGS. 6 and
7, when
the solenoid 16 is in its second energized state 56 the first permanent magnet
28 will
be repelled by the solenoid 16 while second permanent magnet 30 is being
attracted
by solenoid 16. The switching of the polarity 58/60 of the ends 50/52 of
solenoid 16,
accomplished by switching mechanism 20, to alternate the solenoid 16 between
its
first 54 and second 56 energized states will reciprocate the magnetic actuator
18
relative to the fixed solenoid 16 (which is fixed by frame 12) to operate the
work
object 26, such as rotating a flywheel to generate electricity, propel a
vehicle,
pressurize a pump or accomplish a variety of other work objectives.
The shaft 62 can be a solid member or, as shown in FIGS. 9, 11-12
and 15, a hollow tubular member having an interior tubular chamber 76 defined
by
the inner wall or walls of shaft 62. In one embodiment, the tubular chamber 76
of
shaft 62 aligns with the center aperture 78 of each of the first 28 and second
30
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permanent magnets, as best shown in FIG. 9. In a preferred embodiment, the
shaft
62 has a tubular chamber 76 at least at the first end 64 and second end 66
thereof
and the permanent magnets 28/30 are solid and each as an extension member,
shown as first extension member 80 for first permanent magnet 28 and second
extension member 82 for second permanent magnet 30, that extend into the
tubular
chamber 76 at the ends 64/66 of shaft 62, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. In this
embodiment, the tubular chamber 76 at the first 64 and second 66 ends of shaft
62
are sized and configured to receive the first 80 and second 82 extension
members,
respectively. The extension members 80/82 may attach to, connect to or be made
integral with their respective ends 70/72 of the first 28 and second 30
permanent
magnets. The extension members 80/82 have the same polarity 58/60 as the ends
70/72. In the preferred embodiment, the first extension member 80 has an
inward
end 84 and the second extension member 82 has an inward end 86 that are
inwardly disposed toward each other, namely the inward end 84 of the first
extension
member 80 is directed toward the inward end 86 of the second extension member
82, in such a manner as to define a gap 88 inside the tubular chamber 76 of
shaft
62, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The inventor has found that the configuration
with
a gap 88 between the inward ends 84/86 of extension members 80/82 provides the
best performance for this embodiment of motor 10 of the present invention. The
length of extension members 80/82 and the resulting length of gap 88 that
provides
the optimum performance for motor 10 will likely depend on the various
characteristics, including size and strength, of the permanent magnets 28/30
and the
magnetic field of solenoid 16. In an alternative embodiment (not shown in the
figures), the extension members 80/82 can extend completely toward each other,
such that there is no gap 88, or the magnets 28/30 can even be a single piece.
As set forth above, the magnetic actuator 18 operatively connects to
the reciprocating converting mechanism 24 for converting the linear
reciprocating
movement of magnetic actuator 18 to rotate work object 26 and accomplish the
desired work objectives. In the preferred embodiment, the second end 28 of the
magnetic actuator 18 attaches to the reciprocating converting mechanism 24, as
best shown in FIGS. 8-9 and 14-15. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the
reciprocating converting mechanism 24 comprises a typical piston/crankshaft
arrangement comprising a connecting rod connector 90 at the second end 74 of
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second permanent magnet 30, a connecting rod 92 and crankshaft 94. The
connecting rod connector 90 is a pivot bracket that is fixedly attached to the
second
end 74 of the second permanent magnet 30 with a connecting pin 96 that is
received
in an aperture 98 at the first end 100 of the connecting rod 92 to allow the
connecting rod 92 to pivot relative to the magnetic actuator 18. The second
end 102
of connecting rod 92 comprises a clamp member 104 that attaches to the
crankshaft
94. As best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, crankshaft 94 has first output shaft
106 and
a second output shaft 108. In a preferred embodiment, the first output shaft
106
supports or attaches to a controlling mechanism, shown generally as 110, for
controlling the timing/operation of the switching mechanism 20 to change the
solenoid between its first magnetic state 54 and its second magnetic state 56
to
reciprocate magnetic actuator 18. In this embodiment, the second output shaft
108
connects to and rotates work object 26. As will be readily familiar to those
skilled in
the art, appropriate bushings bearings, nuts and other devices must be
utilized to
secure work object 26 to second output shaft 108 such that the rotation of
second
output shaft 108, resulting from the rotation of crankshaft 94 due to the
reciprocating
motion of connecting rod 92 connected to magnetic actuator 18, rotates work
object
26 as necessary to ensure the function and useful life of motor 10 of the
present
invention. As also known to those skilled in the art, various other
configurations are
suitable for use as reciprocating converting mechanism 24 for converting the
linear
reciprocating motion of the magnetic actuator 18 to the desired rotary motion
of work
object 26 (e.g., the flywheel).
As set forth above, first output shaft 106 of crankshaft 94 connects to
the controlling mechanism 110 that is utilized to control the timing of the
reverse
magnetic switching of solenoid 16 necessary to obtain the reciprocating motion
of
the magnetic actuator 18. The interaction between controlling mechanism 110
and
switching mechanism 20 provides the magnetic switching that reverses the
polarity
of the ends 50/52 of solenoid 16 directed towards the actuator polarity 61 of
the
second end 70 of first permanent magnet 28 and the actuator polarity 61 of the
first
end 72 of second permanent magnet 30. In the preferred embodiment of
reciprocating motor 10 of the present invention, the controlling mechanism 110
is a
cam 112 that rotates with the first output shaft 106 to operate, as
appropriate,
switching mechanism 20 to provide the reverse polarity operation necessary to
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reciprocate magnetic actuator 18. Because controlling mechanism 110 connects
directly to the first output shaft 106 of crankshaft 94, no external energy
source or
prime mover is necessary to provide the polarity reversing that is essential
to all
magnetically actuated reciprocating motors, including reciprocating motor 10
of the
present invention. As the cam 112 reciprocates, it operatively contacts the
switching
mechanism 20 to rapidly switch the solenoid 16 between its first energized
state 54
and its second energized state 56.
In the preferred embodiment of motor 10 of the present invention, the
source of power 22 provides direct current to the coil 32 of the solenoid 16
to
energize the solenoid 16 and produce the electromagnetic field that provides
the
alternating first polarity 58 and second polarity 60 at the first 50 and
second 53 ends
of the solenoid 16. Preferably, the first wire end 46 and second wire end 48
connect, via the switching mechanism 20, to a rechargeable battery (as the
source
of power 22). The rechargeable battery can be charged by the generation of
electricity from motor 12 and/or other sources (e.g., A/C power, solar, wind
and etc.).
The switching mechanism 20 utilizes a pair of single pull double throw
switches,
shown as 114 and 116 on FIG. 16, that are activated by the movement of cam 112
to produce a two stroke magnetic force motor 10. The reverse magnetic
switching of
the axially charged solenoid 16 operates in conjunction with the axially
charged
permanent magnets 28/30 to reciprocate the magnetic actuator 18 and rotate the
work object 24 that is utilized, as described above, to accomplish a work
objective.
An on/off switch 118 is used to initiate or cease operation of motor 10.
As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the magnetic actuator 18 defines a
reciprocating support structure for the permanent magnets 28/30 at the
opposite
ends thereof. The frame 12 fixedly supports the solenoid 16, which produces an
axially charged electromagnetic field when energized by the source of power 22
via
the switching mechanism 20. The permanent magnets 28/30 each direct a common
actuator polarity 61, such as north (N) or south (S), towards the solenoid 16
that is
fixedly positioned between the reciprocating permanent magnets 28/30 at the
opposite ends 64/66 of the shaft 62 that interconnects the permanent magnets
28/30. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in one embodiment the actuator polarity 61
of
the permanent magnets 28/30 that is directed toward the solenoid 16 is a first
polarity N and in another embodiment the actuator polarity 61 of the permanent
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magnets 28/30 that is directed toward the solenoid 16 is S. Although whether
actuator polarity 61 of the permanent magnets 28/30 is N or S is not
specifically
important, it is important that their magnet polarity be the same and be fixed
in either
a N or S orientation so that the switching mechanism 20 can provide the
reverse
magnetic switching that reciprocates the magnetic actuator 18 and operates the
work object 22 to provide the desired work objective.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGS.
17 through 19, the shaft 62 comprises a tubular member 75 having interior
tubular
chamber 76 defined by the inside surface of the one or more walls 77 of shaft
62, as
best shown in FIG. 19. In this embodiment, the permanent magnets 28/30 are
solid
and disposed entirely or at least substantially inside the tubular chamber 76
of shaft
62, as shown in FIG. 18. In effect, this embodiment replaces or combines the
extension members 80/82 with the permanent magnets 28/30 such that there is
little
or no substantial amount of the permanent magnets 28/30 extending beyond the
ends 64/66, respectively, of the shaft 62. Tubular chamber 76, at least
towards the
first 64 and second 66 ends of shaft 62, is sized and configured to receive
the first
permanent magnet 28 and second permanent magnet 30, respectively. The second
end 70 of the first permanent magnet 28 has the same polarity 58/60, which
will be
the actuator polarity 61, as the first end 72 of the second permanent magnet
30.
The first end 68 of the first permanent magnet 28 has the same polarity 58/60
as the
second end 74 of the second permanent magnet 30. The inward end 84 of the
first
permanent magnet 28, which was the inward end 84 of the first extension member
80 in the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12, is directed toward and in spaced
apart
relation to the inward end 86 of the second permanent magnet 30, which was the
inward end 86 of the second extension member 82 in the embodiment of FIGS. 11
and 12, so as to define the gap 88 inside the tubular chamber 76 of shaft 62.
The
inventor has found that this configuration provides the best performance for
motor
10 of the present invention. The length of permanent magnets 28/30 inside
shaft 62
and the resulting length of gap 88 that provides the optimum performance for
motor
10 will likely depend on the various characteristics, including size and
strength, of
the permanent magnets 28/30 and the magnetic field of the solenoid 16. The
magnetic actuator 18 of this embodiment eliminates the cost and weight of
having
the larger-sized permanent magnets 28/30 positioned at the ends 64/66, and
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extending outwardly therefrom, of shaft 62 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10
through 12. The inventor has found that the positioning of permanent magnets
28/30 substantially entirely inside the shaft 62, at or near the ends 64/66
thereof,
provides improved performance for motor 10 at lower cost.
In the embodiment described above, cam 112 is utilized as the
controlling mechanism 110 that controls the operation and timing of the
reverse
magnetic switching, by reversing the polarity of the ends 50/52 of the
solenoid 16,
required to reciprocate the magnetic actuator 18. In an alternative
embodiment, the
controlling mechanism 110 is a commutator, such as the split commutator 120
shown in FIGS. 20 through 23. As with the cam 112, split commutator 120 is
mounted or attached to first output shaft 106, as shown in FIG. 20, so as to
rotate
therewith in response to the reciprocation of magnetic actuator 18 and
operatively
engaged with switching mechanism 20 to provide the reverse magnetic switching
that reverses the polarity of the ends 50/52 of solenoid 16. In the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the switching mechanism 20 is mounted or otherwise
attached to a switch mounting plate 122 that is mounted, attached or integral
with a
flywheel mounting plate 124, which in one embodiment is fixedly mounted to the
frame 12. The controlling mechanism 110 rotates with first output shaft 106,
which
rotates as a result of the reciprocation of the magnetic actuator 18 and the
reciprocating converting mechanism 24, in relation to the switching mechanism
20
on the stationary mounting plates 122/124. The rotation of the controlling
mechanism 110, in cooperative engagement with the switching mechanism 20,
provides the reverse magnetic switching. In the embodiment shown, the first
output
shaft 106 is received through the center opening 126, best shown in FIGS. 21
and
23, through the center of split commutator 120 and the split commutator 120
includes a first clamp mechanism 128 and a second clamp mechanism 130 on
opposite sides of the split commutator 120, as best shown in FIGS. 20 and 22,
that
clamps onto, or otherwise engages, the first output shaft 106.
The splint commutator 120 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 20
through 23 comprises a pair of split disks 132, shown as first split disk 132a
and
132b, and a pair of solid disks 134, shown as first solid disk 134a and second
solid
disk 134b, that are separated by disk insulators 136, shown as 136a, 136b and
136c
in FIGS. 22 and 23. A first end insulator 138 separates the first split disk
132a from
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the first clamp mechanism 128 and a second end insulator 140 separates the
second solid disk 134b from the second clamp mechanism 130, as best shown in
FIG. 22. Each of the split disks 132a/132b have a split section 142 on each
side of
split commutator 120 with a split insulator 144 disposed therein to separate
the ends
of the split disks 132a/132b. In one embodiment, both the split disks 136 and
solid
disks 138 are made out of copper. As well known in the art, a variety of other
electrical conducting materials can be utilized for disks 136/138. Likewise, a
variety
of insulating materials, including those set forth above, can be utilized for
disk
insulators 136, first end insulator 138, second end insulator 140 and split
insulators
144. Mounting brackets 146 and 148, best shown in FIG. 23, mount the switches
114/116, respectively, to the switch mounting plate 122.
The magnetic polarity relationships and electrical connections that are
associated with split commutator 120 are best shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. FIG.
22
shows one embodiment of the relationship between the magnetic polarities of
the
split disks 132 and the solid disks 134. FIG. 23 shows the electrical current
input to
split commutator 120 from the source of power 22, such as a battery, to SPDT
switch 114 and the electrical current output to the solenoid 16, which
provides the
magnetic switching to reciprocatively drive the magnetic actuator 18 that
rotates
output shafts 106/108.
In another alternative embodiment, the controlling mechanism 110 is
a electronic drive assembly 150, with an exemplary schematic therefor shown in
FIG. 24. As with the other controlling mechanisms 110 described herein, the
electronic drive assembly 150 is configured to receive electrical power from
the
source of power 22 and transfer it to the solenoid 16 in a manner that
provides the
reverse magnetic switching required to reciprocatively drive the magnetic
actuator
18. A control unit 152, wirelessly or wire connected to a bus transistor 154
for data
interface to the control unit 152 and a user interface 156 for a front panel
controller
VFD/LED, is configured with a microprocessor or the like to provide the data
processing and like operations that control the electronic drive assembly 150.
The
control unit 152 cooperatively engages a half bridge driver 158, comprising an
electronic circuit that enables voltage to be applied across a load in either
direction,
and receives and processes electronic signals from an input sensor 160 and an
output sensor 162 that are used to control half-bridge driver 158, as shown in
FIG.
2s
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24. Control unit 152 communicates with half bridge driver 158 either
wirelessly or
with a wired connection. In one embodiment, half bridge driver 158 is an
inverter
that converts DC power to AC power. Electronic drive assembly 150 also
comprises
appropriately configured capacitor 164, diodes 166 and transistors 168, such
as
insulated-gate bipolar transistors or IGBTs that are known for high efficiency
and
fast switching. The exemplary electronic drive assembly 150 described above is
utilized in place of the previously described split commutator 120. One
advantage of
the electronic drive assembly 150 over the split commutator 120 is that the
electronic
drive assembly 150 eliminates sparking, which represents loss of energy that
could
otherwise be utilized in a system to provide the desired work output.
In use, the periodic switching of first polarity 58 and second polarity 60
at the ends 50/52 of solenoid 16 produce an axially charged electromagnetic
field
toward the first end 70 of the first permanent magnet 28 and the second end 72
of
the second permanent magnet 30 will alternatively repel and attract the
permanent
magnets 28/30 to reciprocate the magnetic actuator 18 relative to the solenoid
16
and frame 12 (which fixedly supports the solenoid 16 and crankshaft 94). The
reciprocation of the magnetic actuator 18 will, by way of the connecting rod
92,
rotatably drive crankshaft 94, which rotatably engages the controlling
mechanism
110 at first output shaft 106 of crankshaft 94 to operate the switching
mechanism 20
that provides the timing necessary for the reverse magnetic switching of the
solenoid
16 and rotates the work object 26 at the second output shaft 108. As such, the
magnetically actuated reciprocating motor 10 of the present invention does not
require any external power source or prime mover to provide the necessary
polarity
shifting for reciprocation of the magnetic actuator 18, thereby making the
present
motor more efficient and useful for obtaining a work output, such as to
operate a
pump, generator or vehicle. Use of the reciprocating motor 10 of the present
invention eliminates the energy demands and pollution associated with
presently
available reciprocating motors.
While there are shown and described herein one or more specific
forms of the invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art that the
invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to various modifications and
rearrangements in design and materials without departing from the spirit and
scope
of the invention. In particular, it should be noted that the present invention
is subject
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WO 2012/006332 PCT/US2011/043046
to modification with regard to any dimensional relationships set forth herein
and
modifications in assembly, materials, size, shape, and use. For instance,
there are
numerous components described herein that can be replaced with equivalent
functioning components to accomplish the objectives of the present invention.
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